Oxymeter reading

[Sharice21]

I've had mild/moderate copd for 3 years ,lately I've had a few months of overly tiredness and dizziness,the gp cant seem to find out why so I've been checking my oxymeter readings on rest my sats are 97/99 but on walking can go down to 80s is this normal?I've got to say I'm a little freaked out

[CDPO16]

Hi and welcome Sharice. Has your doctor done any investigations to try and find out why you feel tired and dizzy? I would certainly tell him about your readings. Ideally sats shouldn't fall below 89% when walking but how quickly they pick up again on resting needs to be considered too. It may be that you would benefit from ambulatory oxygen but only further assessment will decide that. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

[Sharice21 in reply to CDPO16]

I've had some blood tests but as I suffer with anxiety the gp says everything's anxiety,bloods came back clear apart from potasium being low but that was corrected over a month ago now and still got it

[skischool in reply to Sharice21]

If your sats are going that low on exercise it would be a good thing to get checked out by the respiratory nurse so thats excellent advice from CDPO16 Anxiety doesn't lower oxygen levels in your blood but could make for dysfunctional breathing and associated breathlessnes?

🙃

[CDPO16 in reply to Sharice21]

I agree with skischool regarding anxiety and dysfunctional breathing but your low sats on walking need further investigation.

[Patk1 in reply to Sharice21]

How's yr blood pressure? Ru eating + drinking enough xx

[Sharice21 in reply to Patk1]

Blood pressures fine and drinking ok but not overly eating

[Patk1 in reply to Sharice21]

Maybe try eating a little often to see if it helps.id mention yr not eating much whn talk to dr xxx

[Sharice21]

Thankyou both 😊

[Sharice21]

I've also done a 6 minute test and it didnt drop below 96 so not sure what's going on at all

[Tia4209 in reply to Sharice21]

When was the walk test carried out? xx

[Sharice21 in reply to Tia4209]

I did it within the hour of the 80 reading

[Tia4209 in reply to Sharice21]

Was the 80% on your own pulse ox? If so maybe it is faulty sometimes if you bend your finger it stops the blood getting to the finger tip and the pulse ox reads the oxygen level much lower than it actually is, if your fingers are cold it has the same affect. x

[Sharice21 in reply to Tia4209]

Yes it is my oxymeter,maybe your right as havent had anything before of since that low

[skischool]

I wish you had mentioned that you had just completed a walk test and that all was fine,sometimes when you ask a query it is bettter to put the full facts in your post,thankfully you can disregard my previous advice and perhaps invest in a new pulse oximeter or change the batteries,

😊

[CDPO16 in reply to skischool]

Quite skischool.

[Sharice21 in reply to skischool]

I did the 6 min test after first couple of responses as I was getting worried ,so sorry not to put full facts down I'll remember that for next time !oh hang on I added the test on when I'd completed it! Thanks for your help

[CDPO16 in reply to Sharice21]

This is a bit confusing. Was the six minute walk test done in a clinical setting or one you did in your own home? If the latter you can't be sure the result was accurate as the distance walked is carefully measured and assessed in a clinical setting. Your information isn't at all clear Sharice for those you are asking advice from.

[jackdup]

Did you take the reading while you were walking as a cheaper oximeter is not that accurate if moving or exercising, or if your hands are cold. Also was that reading immediately after putting it on as they can take about 30 seconds to stabilize.

fda.gov/medical-devices/saf...

[Sharice21 in reply to jackdup]

Yes I think it's an oxymeter error sorry for asking for unnecessary advice 😔

[jackdup in reply to Sharice21]

It’s not unnecessary advice at all. If you aren’t sure about something you should ask questions and that is what this forum is for so never apologize when asking about something you are concerned about.

[Lfcpremier]

My oximeter is very temperamental. If I'm cold it drops right down & starts beeping. Nail varnish can also interfere with readings. If you don't feel breathless I would be inclined to repeat 10 mins later.

[Ivanovna]

I also have mild COPD but I have never used an oxymeter x have you measured your peak flow ?

[Nicholatracy]

Hope you find out why you are so tired and the cause of the dizziness. Stay strong 🐞

[Kristicats]

Sats do go down during exercise as our muscles use oxygen to work. Mention it though to your Gp. To put your mind at rest .

97/98 is very good at rest .

[Brenda56]

Hi I presented myself at hospital with 81% oxygen reading they quickly got a machine on me it read 91% turned out I hadn't changed the batteries although I'm sure you will of have a check x